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Animal Health Diagnostic Center

Improving the health of animals, animal populations and wildlife

Transition Cow Benchmarks

Rates (achievable and alarm) and the parameters for transition cows
Parameter Achievable Rate Alarm Rate
Displaced abomasum <3% ≥6%
Milk Fever <2% ≥5%
Retained Placenta <8% ≥10%
Metritis and Ketosis If the rate of displaced abomasums is over 6% it is likely that metritis and ketosis may also be a challenge in fresh cows. At this point ketosis should be investigated by chemical analysis.

Stillborns – born dead or died within 24 hrs of birth

<10% of first lactation, heifer calves
<6% multiparous cows, heifer calves

>12% of first lactation, heifer calves
>7% of multiparous cows, heifer calves

Dead and sold

<8%

≥12%

Length of dry period: ≥ end of 2nd lactation

40-60 days

>20% less than 30 Days
>20% greater than 80 days

Length of dry period: Between first and second lactation

50-60 days

>20% less than 40 Days
>20% greater than 80 days

Ketosis (between 3-21 DIM)
Parameter Achievable Rate Alarm Rate
Clinical* 3% >8%
Sub-clinical** <15% >25%

*clinical ketosis – BHB (beta hydroxy butyric acid) >27mg/dL
**sub-clinical ketosis – BHB >14 mg/dL

Mastitis (Goal of BTSCC of 200,000)
Parameter Achievable Rate Alarm Rate
All cows First test LS>4 <10%

≥14%

Heifers first test LS>4

<7%

≥10%

New infections between first two tests after calving – all cows

<10%

≥12%

Cure rate in fresh period: 1st test LS>4 followed by 2nd test LS<4

>60%

≤50%

Resources

  • Cook, N. B., and K. V. Nordlund. 2004. Behavioral needs of the transition cow and considerations for special needs facility design. Vet. Clin. Food Anim. 20:495-520.

  • Drackley, J. K., and N. A. Janovick-Guretzky. 2007. Controlled energy diets for dry cows. Proceedings Western Dairy Management Conference, Reno NV. pp. 1-11.

  • Goff, J. P. 2004. Macromineral disorders of the transition cow. Vet. Clin. Food Anim. 20:471- 494.

  • Nordlund, K. V., and N. B. Cook. 2004. Using herd records to monitor transition cow survival, productivity, and health. Vet. Clin. Food Anim. 20:627-649.

  • Overton, T. R. 2005. Is there a place for shortened dry periods for high producing herds? Advanced in Dairy Technology – Proceedings Western Canadian Dairy Seminar. University of Alberta, Edmonton. pp. 25-34.

  • Overton, T. R., and M. R. Waldron. 2004. Nutritional management of transition dairy cows: Strategies to optimize metabolic health. J. Dairy Sci. 87(E. Suppl.):E105-119.

  • Overton, T. R., M. R. Waldron, and K. L. Smith. 2006. Feeding strategies for transition dairy cows. Proceedings Eastern Nutrition Conference. Animal Nutrition Association of Canada, Guelph, ON.

  • Overton, T. Transition Cows: Room to Improve, pg. 19

  • Stone, W. Tune Up Your Transition Program, pg. 20

  • Overton, T. The Energy Balance Beam for Close-up Cows, pg. 23

  • Dann, H. Attention Shifts to Far-off Dry Cows, pg. 24

  • Overton, T. Focus on Fresh Cow Culls, pg. 25

  • Overton, T. Eradicating Milk Fever ad Related Disorders, pg. 26

  • Overton, T. Retained Placentas: A New Look at an Old Subject, pg. 27

  • Smith K., Overton, T. Research Looks for a Way to Control Spikes in NEFA, pg. 28

  • Nydam, D., Stokal, T., Overton, T. Study Assesses Common, But Important, Conditions, pg. 30

  • Burhans, B. Transition Cow Health Disorders in New England Herds, pg. 32